Events

• National Autism Acceptance Month
• 5K / 1K Fun Run
• Third Party Fundraisers
• Golf Tournament
• Calendar of Events
• Sponsor

Annual Events

Sensory Friendly Santa Photos

The holidays can bring many moments of sensory overload for all of us, but especially for those with autism. A trip to the mall or local department store to see Santa can be unnerving. At Autism Society - The Heartland, we are hoping to take the stress out of seeing Santa! Autism Society-The Heartland partners with Santa America to host a Sensory Friendly Pictures With Santa event each holiday season. 

Parents can sign up for a 15-20 minute appointment so their child can visit Santa stress-free. This will also alleviate the long lines and cut down on the noise and chaos. Photos will be taken in a calm environment, and as a paid-member of Autism Society - The Heartland, you will receive your photos for FREE. Pictures will be emailed to the email address you provide during online registration for this event. Pictures will be sent to you within two weeks of the event.

We want to make each individual’s visit as special as possible! To do this, we ask that you please send a letter to Santa with the individual’s first and last name, and holiday wishlist to our email ashofficeasst@gmail.com with SANTA LETTER in the subject line, OR please mail your letters to Autism Society - The Heartland, P.O. Box 4455, Olathe, KS 66063. If mailing, please mail early to allow enough time to process through USPS.

If needed, we have a few resources to communicate with Santa including a social story as well as a language board/icon page. Please contact us at 913-706-0042 or ashofficeasst@gmail.com for these resources.

Splash Cove

Join us for Autism Society - The Heartland's Annual Splash Cove Event for members and their families in 2023! The official date for this event is July 15, 2023.

This is a fantastic summer event for families of individuals with autism as well as adults on the spectrum. Ages 0 to 88 are welcome! This is a time for everyone to feel comfortable about going to the pool and not have to worry about your loved one. This is a great opportunity to meet other families in the autism community. Splash Cove helps to ensure a sensory-friendly event, with the music volume lowered and a restriction on the number of attendees. Make sure to RSVP early for this event!

There will not be concessions available for purchase. Please feel free to bring your own snacks or even have a picnic (NO glass or adult beverages please). Autism Society - The Heartland will have our merchandise table open with lots of new autism items available for purchase. All proceeds help directly fund our mission.

Questions about the event? Call us at 913-706-0042 or email ashofficeasst@gmail.com.

Additional Events and Specials

Throughout each calendar year we have additional events. Please see our Calendar of Events for additional activities. In the past these events have included, but are not limited to:

• Johnson County Night at the Museum
• Day at the Zoo
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Sensory Friendly events
• Sensory Friendly Day at Museum at Prairiefire

Past Event Galleries:

Santa Gallery 2018

Santa 2020 Gallery